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Rolex Datejust Ref. 1601 - Black Gilt Dial with Papers

SOLD

STRAIGHT FACTS

Hard to believe - but the Datejust has been around since 1945. It is far older than its bigger and attention-hogging Submariner brethren. The Datejust was Rolex’s idea of the perfect everyday watch. The robustness of the Oyster case, combined with the elegance of an Oyster Perpetual. The ‘4 digit’ series of Datejust are particularly attractive for their pie-pan dials which offer a layer of three-dimensionality to the dials that went away with the advent of quickset date and 5-digit Datejusts. These early Datejusts were available as the 1601 - with a fluted white gold bezel, or the 1603 - with an engine-turned steel bezel.

The present example being the more classic 1601 with (in this case) a yellow gold fluted bezel. The 4-Digit series is also the first Datejusts to become available in a myriad of colors and styles. This example has an extremely rare black gilt-gloss dial with gold printing that has a depth of color you have to see to believe. Combined with bright gilted printing, these rare examples offer an extra bit of high-gloss shine. The case appears untouched and unpolished, and remarkably the watch is complete with most of it's original boxes and papers from 1960. 

*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting

Stainless Steel 1960 Boxes & Papers Automatic Dress

"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."

"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."

"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."

From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.

Oliver & Clarke

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